(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Tunisia and Al Duhail football star Youssef Msakni hopes his six-month spell on loan with Belgian club KAS Eupen will open doors to better opportunities in Europe.
Msakni was speaking at a press conference at Aspire Academy yesterday which was also attended by KAS Eupen coach Claude Makelele and other officials.
Msakni, who was a key figure in Lekhwiya and Al Duhail's success in Qatar since 2013, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture towards the end of the 2017-2018 season and was out of action for several months after undergoing surgery in the US. He also missed the FIFA World Cup in Russia for Tunisia because of the injury, returning to practice only in December. Al Duhail are currently second in the Qatar Stars League standings with 36 points, two behind Al Sadd.
'I am very happy to get this opportunity to play for Eupen because it's not easy to find a club in Europe after suffering such a serious injury, the 28-year-old told journalists. 'Therefore this is a good move and I can only hope that that I'll be able to perform well enough, he added.
KAS Eupen are owned by Aspire Academy and used as a stepping stone for aspiring young talent graduating out of the prestigious Qatar institution.
Cardiff City and Brighton were reportedly interested in signing Msakni, but he said that was only 'speculation.
'Those reports were speculation, there was nothing concrete in them, added Msakni, who added that Al Duhail can still win the Qatar Stars League title. 'They are behind Al Sadd by only two points so they have a great chance of winning the title again, said Msakni.
Msakni's immediate task would be to help KAS Eupen improve on their current 10th place standing in the Belgian Pro League. Mskani finished as second top scorer in the Qatari league with 25 goals last season, one behind teammate and Morocco international Youssef El Arabi.
He started his career at Stade Tunisien before switching to Esperance in 2008. At Esperance he won four league titles and a Caf Champions League trophy, before moving to Qatar.
Mskani has scored nine goals in 49 appearances for his country, including a hat-trick against Guinea as Tunisia qualified for the World Cup after a 12-year absence.
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